88th New York Infantry in the American Civil War

Overview

The 88th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was an infantry regiment organized in New York City, Brooklyn, and Jersey City for Union service during the American Civil War. Mustered in at Fort Schuyler between September 1861 and January 1862, the regiment became the 5th regiment of the famed Irish Brigade. Serving in the Army of the Potomac, the 88th New York participated in major campaigns and battles throughout the Eastern Theater, earning a reputation for steadfastness and heavy combat losses.

The regiment remained attached to Meagher’s Irish Brigade throughout its service, operating primarily with the 1st Division, 2nd Corps. It was mustered out at Alexandria, Virginia, on June 30, 1865.

Organization & Service

The 88th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) was recruited in New York City, Brooklyn, and Jersey City. The regiment was mustered into United States service at Fort Schuyler from September 1861 to January 1862. It departed New York for Washington, D.C., on December 16, 1861, and was attached to Meagher’s Irish Brigade, Sumner’s Division. The regiment remained with the Irish Brigade for its entire term of service.

Initially stationed near Washington, the 88th joined the Army of the Potomac’s advance to the Virginia Peninsula in March 1862, becoming part of the 1st Division, 2nd Corps. The regiment participated in the Siege of Yorktown and the Battle of Fair Oaks. During the Seven Days’ Battles, it suffered significant casualties. The 88th was engaged in the Maryland Campaign, fighting at Antietam with heavy losses. Afterward, it moved to Charlestown, West Virginia, and then by short marches to Fredericksburg, where it played a key role in the 2nd Corps’ assault and suffered severe casualties.

At Chancellorsville in spring 1863, the regiment again sustained heavy losses, leading to its consolidation into a battalion of two companies before the Battle of Gettysburg. The 88th fought in the Wheatfield at Gettysburg as part of the Irish Brigade. It continued to serve with the 2nd Corps at Bristoe Station and in the Mine Run Campaign. During the winter, enough men reenlisted to retain the regiment in the field as a veteran organization, and three new companies joined in April 1864.

Throughout the Overland Campaign from the Wilderness to Cold Harbor in 1864, the 88th New York saw continuous action. In the initial assault on Petersburg, the regiment lost heavily, including the death of Colonel Patrick Kelly, brigade commander. The regiment remained on siege duty before Petersburg until the city’s fall and was mustered out at Alexandria, Virginia, on June 30, 1865.

Engagements & Campaigns

• Siege of Yorktown (April–May 1862)
• Battle of Fair Oaks (May 31–June 1, 1862)
• Seven Days’ Battles (June 25–July 1, 1862)
• Maryland Campaign (September 1862)
• Battle of Antietam (September 17, 1862)
• Battle of Fredericksburg (December 11–15, 1862)
• Chancellorsville Campaign (April–May 1863)
• Battle of Gettysburg (July 1–3, 1863)
• Bristoe Campaign (October 1863)
• Mine Run Campaign (November–December 1863)
• Overland Campaign (May–June 1864)
• Siege of Petersburg (June 1864–April 1865)

Casualties

The 88th New York Infantry lost a total of 150 men killed or mortally wounded in action and 71 by disease or other causes, out of a total enrollment of 1,352. At Fredericksburg, the regiment lost 23 killed, 97 wounded, and 6 missing out of 252 engaged. At Antietam, 102 were killed or wounded. Casualty figures are drawn from official reports and regimental histories.

Field Officers & Commanders

• Colonel Henry M. Baker
• Colonel Patrick Kelly
• Colonel Dennis F. Burke
• Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Kelly
• Lieutenant Colonel James Quinlan
• Lieutenant Colonel John Smith
• Lieutenant Colonel Dennis F. Burke
• Lieutenant Colonel John W. Byron
• Major James Quinlan
• Major William Horgan
• Major John Smith
• Major William G. Hart
• Major John W. Byron

Regimental Roster

The full roster of officers and enlisted men who served in the 88th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) is available on the regiment’s roster page. This roster provides names, ranks, and additional service details for genealogical and historical research.

To view the complete roster, visit the 88th New York Infantry (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.

Sources & References

• Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes 5, 9, 11, 19, 21, 25, 27, 29, 36, 40, 46
• New York State Adjutant General’s Report
• Dyer, Frederick H., A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
• Fox, William F., Regimental Losses in the American Civil War
• The Union Army, Vol. 2 (Federal Publishing Company, 1908)